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In Reply to: You might want .... posted by JB on November 27, 2006 at 07:52:29:
Thanks, I think that this is a pretty concise explanation. Let me make sure I understand, though. Are you saying that with better components the Nordost will make a more appreciable effect? eg you wouldnt notice as much with an NAD system but more so with a Pass Labs setup? If this is the case, then yes I should keep them, as I am sure that I will one day upgrade.You guys keep pushing the Nordost, but does it really ever make a 60 CD value improvement...meaning, will I sit back with the Blue Jeans and gladly trade the purchase of 60 CDs for its sonic improvement. I know that this is relative, but 60 CDs!!
I need to update my system info at AA but here is what I am currently using:
Spendor SP 1/2e on Sound Anchors with Blu Tac
Hovland Radia
Hovland HP-100
Audio Note CDT2 transport
Kora Hermes DAC
Audio Research ICs
Blue Jeans Belden 5000 speaker wireCarpeted 19x20 with treatments behind speakers
Another point is that when I noticed the slightly cleaner sound from the Nordost, I soon forgot the difference about 5 mins into the music. Will the lack of Nordost stick out so much that I will consistently think of it while listening? If not, then I will probably keep the Blue Jeans because I will always miss 60 CDs.
In the end, to my ear, the sonic differences in cabling and power chords are more mental, not aural...ie having that piece of mind that all my components are top quality is more mentally satisfying than aurally satisfying.
Follow Ups:
"In the end, to my ear, the sonic differences in cabling and power chords are more mental, not aural..."If this is the case in your experience, then your desire for 60 CD's instead of a cable upgrade is the obvious choice. In my case, each and every cable I use in my system are vital aspects of overall system performance and enjoyment. I would not trade them for their equivalent value in CD's...
Actually , with your equipment , I would think you would hear more of a difference . My example is taken from years ago when I was using some modified hafler amps and preamps , the noise in comparison to the present system was huge and the overall presentation not very musical . Am now using a transport to NOS DAC to tube preamp feeding an ARC amp to Modified MG IIIa's and a velodyne sub . Absolutely any up stream changes I make seem to make very big differences in the total presentation . Last week I switched in a cheap dvd player for a transport instead of my usual CD player for a transport (bits is bits , right?). everything became smoother with way less bass slam and a minor discontinuity in the upper midrange . I ultimately got really fatigued with the upper midrange thing and missed the bass slam so I swapped back . With the old system one would not have even heard the midrange problem , or the bass either .Anyway , after seeing your list of components if you can't hear much difference I would go for the CD's . Especially if your pleased with the sound of your system and are not going to be updating a lot equipment in the future ;~)) This is ultimately not an equipment race , when you reach audio nurvana stick with it and enjoy the tunes .
You heard changes with the transport, but are the cable changes just as noticable?I too have had poor luck with dvd players as transports. My last, the Pioneer Elite universal player wore me out in under 2 days. You described it exactly, "fatiguing." I became bored with the music so much sooner when I used the DVD player as opposed to my Kora/Audio Note. Of course the price difference was 10x greater but it easily equated since I had more than 10x the enjoyment out of my CDs.
I don't think that cable changes are as great as transport changes , that said , Ive read a lot of posts saying bits are bits and there should not be any change if you change transports and use the same DAC .I am very impressed with your use of the AN transport and Kora Hermes DAC . When I read your 1st post I made the assumption you were using entry level equipment . It seems your choice of gear is so musical that the choice of speaker cable is really secondary to the enjoyment of that musicality . That's really cool !!! My choice 16 years ago of MG IIIa's has made me be very careful of the down stream equipment i've had to use over the years . You tend to hear every bit of digital and emi/rfi nasties ,also the lack of mid and low bass in the Mg IIIa's has made for some "lean" times so to speak . So for me the cleaner I get the sound the more musical nirvana I have and doing things to develope more bass (Mye stands , wings etc). If I had gotten some top of the line box speakers 16 years ago instead I may have been happier in the long run . But right now I'm in hog heaven ;~))
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